Alumni and Friends Making an Impact

Undergraduate student research experiences at UD can include conducting research over the summer and completing an honors thesis. Katie Hoener did both, which led to something bigger — authoring a textbook chapter with her mentor, Li-Yin Liu.

Hoener, a graduating senior studying political science, caught the attention of Liu, assistant professor of political science, four years ago in a research methods course. Recognizing her keen perspective and question framing, Liu invited Hoener to help her conduct research through the Dean’s Summer Fellowship.

This introduction to research helped Hoener prepare for her honor’s thesis work the following summer, which explored alleged war crimes Russia had committed against Ukraine. It also led to another invitation from Liu to work on a new project — writing a textbook chapter together addressing narratives about mayors in sanctuary cities.

“Dr. Liu provides such a good experience,” Hoener said. “She’s always encouraging, and when you do something well, she explains why methodically and thoughtfully. And when you get such sincere compliments and feedback from her, it motivates you to want to earn it again and give her your best quality work at all times.”

Liu’s engagement with her students is a result of her teaching philosophy. More than teaching to a test, Liu helps students identify their talents and explore their growth. In class, she uses weekly reflections to gauge if and how students are digesting and applying concepts, and who may need additional support.

“Some people are good at speaking or writing, some are good at something else, but all of that should be recognized,” Liu said. “My philosophy is to encourage my students to be good and own what their strengths are, not be embarrassed about not being able to perform in the way their colleagues perform.”

The results of her methodologies speak through the impact on students. Like Hoener, Yulianna Otero Asmar ’21 also found new possibilities and mentorship after taking Liu’s research methods course.

In the course, all students are required to find a research question. Upon hearing Otero Asmar’s idea on how the gender of immigrants affects public opinion in the U.S., Liu encouraged her to apply for the Dean’s Summer Fellowship. Otero Asmar was the lead on writing about the research, and the two published a paper in 2023. That experience influenced Otero Asmar to work on two more papers while at UD and to pursue a master’s degree.

Liu also expressed pride for the paper she and Otero Asmar published together. Liu says she was inspired by her student to include gender equity in her research and as a Gender Equity Research Fellow this year.

“That process I went through with Dr. Liu was what gave me the confidence to get into research. She really empowered me as an academic,” Otero Asmar said. “I was just doing what I needed to for class, but she saw my strengths and guided me. I think that without her noticing and giving me the tools and confidence to pursue research, I wouldn't have taken this path at all.”